Automatic starter for automobiles.



0. E. WOOLDRIDGE.

AUTOMATIC swam FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, 1915. I 1 177161 Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

3 SHEETS-*SHEET 1.

WITNESSES i INVENTOR TULHE E. Wooldrdge.

O E. WOOLDRIDGE.

AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26,1915.

1 177., 1 6 1 Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

3 $HEETSSHEET 2.

' I. 45 .T'T

i Q a! WITNESSES: I/VVE/VTOR Orville E. Wopldridge.

dn ATTORNEY A D. E. WOOLDRIDGE. AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26, I915. 1,177,161.- Patented Ma1'.28,]916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES. l/VI/EA/ TOR fg Orville EWOOLdrL'd e.

' 14 T TOR/V5 V ORVILLE EDWARD WOOLDBIDGE, OF GREENVTLLE, ILLINCIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO A.W. KNIGHT AND ONE-THIRD TO U. G. SCOFIELD, OF BRAZIL, INDIANA.

AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORVILLE E. Wootmaroon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Greenville, in the .county of Bond and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Automatic Starter for Autcmcbiles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide means for mechanically cranking an automobile engine; to provide means for manually controlling the same; to provide means for automatically governing the stored power of said cranking means; and to simplify the mechanism and condense the space occupied thereby.

Drawings.--Figure 1 is a cross section of a starter constructed and arranged inaccordance with the present invention, the section being taken as on the line 11in Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectlon of the apparatus, the section being taken as on the line 2--2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section showing a fragment of the casing of the apparatus and mechanism mounted therein, the section being taken as on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail view in vertical section, the section being taken as on the line 4.4 in Fig. 1.

Descriptz'0n.-As seen in the drawings, two bevel wheels, designated by the numerals 9 and 10, respectively, are rotatively mounted on a short shaft 11, the oppposite ends whereof are fixedly mounted in the sides 12 and 13, respectively. The hubs of said wheels are truncated and mutually engaged, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawlugs. The wheels 9 and 10 are independ ently driven by a coil spring 14, the inner end of which is anchored to the shaft 11, while the outer end is anchored to a pin 15 mounted in the wheel 10.

Suspended between the wheel 9 and 10 is a gear pinicn 16, the short shaft 17 of which is provided with a rocking bearing m a shde block 18. Normally the slide block 18 is held by compression springs '19 in spaced relation to both of the wheels 9 and 10. The, springs 19 are balanced so that the block 18 and shaft 17 therein are held so that the teeth of the pinion 16 are disengaged from? brth of said wheels 9 and 10.

Movement is continuouslyimparted to the' pinion 16 through a transmissionshaft 20' tated at all times, whether by the gear 21 or the wheel 10, in a uniform direction. The pinion 16 is engaged with one or other of the wheels 9 or 10in correspondence with the movement of the block 18. This movement is controlled manually, suitable operating members being for this purpose attached to eyelets 25 in the ends of the pull rods 26 and 27. The operating members above referred to are disposed adjacent the seat of the driver of the automobile, for convenience of manipulation by him. The engine having the shaft-22 is initially em ployed to wind the spring 14, which thereafter constitutes the prime mover for the starter herein disclosed. When the rod 26 is drawn upon, the pinion 16 is drawn into engagement with the teeth of the wheel 9. The wheel 9 being operatively engaged with the wheel 10, this is likewise rotated, winding the spring 14 about the shaft 11.

' The block 18 is held in the position to which it is manually drawn, by a latch 28, the head 29 whereof enters a socket 30 formed in the side of the block 18. as shown best by dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings. To this end. the latch 28 is moved by a compression spring 31. The spring 31 is housed in a bore 32, formed in a housing 33. The bore 32 is normally closed by a screw plug 34, which plug may be manipulated to be advanced or retracted to vary the strength of the spring 31.

To avoid overwindingthe spring 14. and breakage incident thereto. means for automaticallv releasing the latch 28 is provided. The wedge blade 35 is mounted fixedly on a screw-threaded nut or collar 36. the wed e end of the blade 35 being extended througl'i a perforation 37 inthe latch 28. and through corresponding perforations 38 in the housing 33.

From the foregoing it isobvious that if the blade 35 is advanced through said herforations 37 and 38, the latch 28 will be f rced up the inclined surface of the blade 35, c mpressing the spring 31 and withdrawing the head 29 from the scckct 30. The disengagement thus effected permits the springs 19* to reestablish the central position of the shaft 17 and pinion 16.

To move the blade inthe manner described is the oflice of the star wheel 39*and screw The screw 40 has reduced or pintle ends to form hearings for said screwand frr the star wheel 39 rigidly secured thereto. The star wheel 39 is rotated by a pin 41, which is set out from the back of the wheel 9 in the path of the wheel 39" to engage each of the teeth successively. Thus the wheel 39 is rotated the distance between the teeth thereof in timed relation to the complete rotation 01 the wheels 9 and 10. Asthe wheel 39' and screw 40 connected therewith are rotated, the nut or collar 36 is advanced, extending the blade 35 through the latch 28 to lift the same from the socket 30 inthe block 18. The blade 35, remaining in this position, serves to prevent the latch 28 from re'e'ntering the socket 30, until, by thereverse rotation of the wheel 39 and screw 40, the blade 35 is drawn from engagement with the'latch 28. v y 1 The retraction of the blade 35 above ,descri'b'ed is incident to the release of the wheel 10", which permits the spring 1'4'to expand, and in'expanding, rotate said wheel and the wheel 9 with which it is connected, in a relatively opposite direction to that above set forth. Until SO released, the wheel 10 is held stationary by a brake shoe 42'. As seen best in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the shoe 42 enten'dsfpartly about the wheel 10, and is shaped in correspondence with a \l-shaped groove 43, with which said wheel is pro vided I The brake shoe 42 is constructed from any suitable material, andhas mounted in-cnps formed at the median section thereof, hearing balls 44,- shown best inFigs. 1 and 4 of thedrawings. A hearing plate 45 is furnished to receive'said balls, said plate being mountedon the under side of a housing 46, wherein is formed the runway of the block 18. The plate 45, as shownin Fig.4 of the drawings, is beveled, the thickened portion' thereof being at what maybe termed the far side of themedian plane of the wheel 10, or in the direction of travelof said wheel when driven by thespring 14.

The brake shoe 42 and balls 44 carried thereby are normally held in service by a lever 47. The lever 47 is pivotally mounted a pin 48 in a bracket 49. The lever 47 isprovided with a latch head 50. The head 50 has an inclined face 51, the heel or lower edge whereof normally rests above or in line with one side of the block 18. The toe or high point ofthe face 51 entendsinto the path of, said blcck 18, to beengaged thereby when the same is moved to that end,and to be forced backward, carrying-the shoe 42 in the directionindicated-by the arrow at in Figs. and 40f the drawings. Tl1is a-ction of the blo ck 18111 5011 the lateh-had 59, lever 47 and brake shoe 42 occurs when the operator draws upon the rod 27 to crank the shat't 22 to start the engine provided therewith.

Uperat2'0m.-Ha"ving a starter constructed and arranged as above described and as shownin the accompanying drawings, the operation is as follows :Some time during the operation of the shaft 22 the driver of an automobile draws the rod 26, in such manner that the block is moved to a position where the piniorrlti engages the wheel 9, and the latch head 29 is forced into the socket 30 the spring 31. Power is now transmitted from the shaft 22 through the gears and 23 and shaft 20 to rotate the wheels 9 and 10. The rotary movement imparted to the wheel 10 to wind the spring 14 is in the direction indicated by the arrow (4 in Fig. 4 of the drawings, or in a direction to release the braking; strain of the shoe 42. So long as the wheellO is turned in this direction, the shoe 42 does not retard or grip said wheel. y a

The pinion 16 being thus held in engagement with the wheel 9, the wheels 9 and 10 are rotated until the pin 41 has moved the star wheel 39 and; screw 40 connected therewith to advance the nut or collar 36 and the blade 35 to a position where the latch 28 and head 29 thereof are lifted from the socket 30 in the block 18; This action permits the reestablish nent of the block 18 by the springs late the central position for said pinion, between and disengaged from the wheels 9 and 10, as shownin Fig. 1 of the drawings. WVh'en thewheels 9 and-10 are thus released, the spring 14 carries a retractive forceon said wheels 10 and 9, which isimmediately arrested by the brake shoe 42, the balls 44 of which now move back ward over the plate 4.5,,andtoward the thickened edge thereof. This action jams said balls below said plate, setting the shoe'42 into rigid engagementin the V Shaped slot 43 of the wheel 10. In this position, the spring 14- is heldin whatmav be designated as a chargedcondition. When new, the automobile h'avin'g beenbrought toa stand and the; motor] stopped the ohaufi'e'u-r, to

crank the shaft 22 and start his motor,

draws upon the rod 27 and moves the pinion16 into" engagement with the'aheel 10. It will beobserved that prior to the block 18 engaging the head 50 of the lever 47, the teeth of the pinion 16 are;flil'ly engaged with the teeth of {the wheel 10. The fall movement of the block 18in the direction indica ted shifts the brake fshloe 42 backward, or inthe direction indicated by the arrow a in ;F i g.; 40f the-drawings; A The wheel ,10, is now at liberty to move witht-he spring14 in the direction'indicatedjby the arrow I?) in Fig. 4,-- therehy rotating isher-pinion 16, shaft 20, gears23. and 24f, and shaft 22, in the di:

"rection formerly pursued. Though the "wheels 9 and 10 are now rotated in a direction relatively opposite to that imparted when driven by the shaft 22, the rotation of said shaft 22, when driven by the spring 14, is the same. c

-It will be notedthat as the movement of the rod 27 is controlled manually, the duration of operationislikewise optional. If the engine connected with the shaft 22 starts rapidly, the operator releases said rod'27 to permit the springs 19 to place the pinion 16 centrally, moving thereby the block 18 to permit the brake shoe 42 to grip and hold the wheel 10 againstfurther rotation, which would needlessly exhaust the spring 14.

Claims:

1. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative connection with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for laterally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; and a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in onedirection only.

2. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative connection with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for laterally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in one direction only; and automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion between said wheels and disengaged therefrom.

3. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative connection with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion: means manually operative for laterally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in one direction only; automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion between said wheels and disengaged therefrom; and means for locking said pinion in engaged relation with one of said wheels to rotate the same in a direction opposite to that to which it is moved by said prime mover.

4. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative connection with the crank shaft of an .internal combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for laterally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality. of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in one direction only; automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion between said wheels and disengaged therefrom; a floating shaft mounted in said pinion; a sliding block forming a bearing for said shaft; a latch and socket adapted to operatively engage said block to hold the same adjusted to maintain the engaged relation of said pinion and one of said wheels, for driving said wheel from the internal combustion engine with which said transmission mechanism-is engaged.

5. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative connection with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for later ally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in one direction only; automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion betweensaid wheels and disengaged therefrom; a floating shaft mounted in said 'p1n1on;a sliding block forming a bearing for said shaft; a latch and socket adapted to operatively engage said block to hold the same adjusted to maintain the engaged relation of said pinion and one of said wheels, for driving said wheel from the internal combustion engine with which said transmission mechanism isengaged; and means for gradually releasing said latch.

6. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative connection with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for later ally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in one direction only; automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion between said wheels and disengaged therefrom; a floating shaft mounted in said pinion; a sliding block forming a bearing for said shaft; a latch and socket adapted to operatively engage said block to hold the.

same adjusted to maintain the engaged rela tion of said pinion and one of said wheels, for driving said wheel from the internal combustion engine with which said transmission mechanism is engaged; and means for gradually releasing said latch, said means embodying a wedge blade operatively connected with the engaged wheel.

7. A starter as characterized, comprising a transmission mechanism for operative engagementwith the crank shaft of an intern-tr combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for laterally shifting said gear pinion; a plur'al'ity of transmission gearwheels adapted for-engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively Connected with said Wheels to drive the same in one direction only; automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion between said wheels and disengaged therefrom; a floating shaft mounted in said pinion; a sliding block forming a bearing for said shaft; a latch and socket adapted to operatively engage said block to hold the same adjusted to maintain the engaged relation of said pinion and one of said wheels for driving said wheel from the internal combustion engine with which said transmission mechanism is engaged; means for gradually releasing said latch, said means embodying a star wheel, a screw driven thereby, and a nut mounted on said screw and having a wedge blade for releasing said latch; and means operatively connecting said star wheel and said gear wheel.

8. A starter as characterized, comprising atransmission mechanism for operative engagement with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a gear pinion; means manually operative for laterally shifting said gear pinion; a plurality of transmission gear wheels adapted for engagement with said pinion; a prime mover operatively connected with said wheels to drive the same in one direction only; automatic means for normally maintaining said pinion between said wheels and disengaged therefrom; a floating shaft mounted in said pinion; a sliding block forming a bearing for said shaft; a latch and socket adapted to operatively engage said block to hold the same adjusted to maintain the engaged relation of said pinion and one of said wheels, for driving said wheel from the internal combustion engine with which said transmission mechanism is engaged; means for gradually releasing said latch, said means embodying a star wheel, a screw driven thereby, and a nut mounted on said screw and having a wedge blade for releasing said latch; and a pin laterally extended from said gear wheel to engage said star wheel to move the same intermittently and in correspondence with the rotation of said gear wheel.

9. A starter as characterized, comprising a driven member embodying oppositely-disposed gear teeth in spaced relation; a stationary shaft for rotatively supporting said member; a coil spring connecting said shaft and member; transmission means operatively connected with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a floating gear pinion disposed between the teeth of Said member and in spaced r latidn thereto, said pinien havingteeth faifiga ing-the teeth of saidmembe'rs; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in disengaged relation to said teeth.

ll). A starter as characterized, comprising a driven member embodying oppositely-disposed gear teeth in spaced relation; a stationary shaft for rotatively supporting said member; a coil sprin connecting said shaft and member transmission means operativelycohnected with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a floating gearpinion disposed between the teeth of said member and in spaced relation thereto, said pinion having teeth for engaging the teeth of said member; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in engaged relation to said teeth; and selective meansmanually operative for shifting said pinion to engage one set of said teeth to drive said member from said crank shaft,to Wind said spam.

11; A starter as characterized, comprising a driven member embodying oppositelydisposed gear teeth in spaced relation; a stationary shaft for-rotatively supporting said member; a coil spring connecting said shaft and member; transmission means operatively connected with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a floating gear pinion disposed between the teeth of said member and in spaced relation'thereto, said pinion having teeth for engaging the teeth of said member; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in engaged relation to said teeth; selective means manually operative for shifting said pinion to engage one set ofsaid teeth to drive said member from said crank shaft, to wind said spring; and automatic means for locking said member when said pinion is disengaged therefrom.

v 12. A starter as" characterized, comprising a driven member embodying oppositely-disposed gear teeth in spaced relation; a stationary shaft for rotatively supporting said member; a coil spring connecting said shaft and member; transmission means operatively connected with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a floating gear pinion disposed between the teeth of said member and in spaced relation thereto, said pinion having teeth for engaging the teeth of said member; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in engaged relation to said teeth; selective means manually operative for shifting said pinion to engage Lone set of said teeth to drive said member from said crank shaft, to wind said spring; automatic means for looking said memberwhen said pinion is disengaged therefrom; and means for releasing said locking means when said pinion is, moved to engage the set of teeth on said member to rotate said transmission mechanism in correspondence withthe crank shaft 7 of said engine.

\ member; a coil spring connecting said shaft and member; transmission means operatively connected with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a floating gear pinion disposed between the teeth of said member and in spaced relation thereto,said pinion having teeth for engaging the teeth of said member; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in engaged relation to said teeth; selective means manually operative for shifting said pinion to engage one set of said teeth to drive said member from said crank shaft, to Wind said spring; automatic means for locking said member when said pinion is disengaged therefrom; and means for releasing said locking means when said pinion is moved to engage the set of teeth on said member to rotate said transmission mechanism in correspondence with the crank shaft of said engine, said means being disposed to release said locking means after the teeth of i said pinion and said member have become engaged.

1-1:. A starter as characterized, comprising a driven member embodying oppositely-disoosed ear teeth in saaced relation a sta b 7 a floating gear plnion disposed between the teeth of sand member and 1n spaced relation thereto, said pinion having teeth for engagflopies 02 this patent may be obtained for ing the teethof said member; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in engaged relation to said teeth; selective means manually operative for'shifting said pinion to engage one set of said teeth to drive said member from said crank shaft, to wind said spring; a brake shoe set to normally restrain the rotation of said member in response to said sprin 15. A starter as characterized, comprising a driven member embodying oppositely-disposed gear teeth in spaced relation; a stationary shaft for rotatively supporting said member; a coil spring connecting said shaft and member; transmission means operm tively connected with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine and embodying a floating gear pinion disposed between the teeth of said member and in spaced relation thereto said pinion having teeth for engaging the teeth of said member; means for automatically maintaining said pinion in engaged relation to said teeth; selective means manually operative for shifting said pinion to engage one set of said teeth to drive said member from said crank shaft, to wind said spring; a brake shoe set to normally restrain the rotation of said member in response to said spring; and a lever operatively engaging said brake shoe to remove the same to released position in correspondence with the operation of said selective means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ORVILLE EDWARD WOOLDRIDGE.

\Vitnesses:

C. E. Honaas, JOHN 1. Farm.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

